Vannguard Shaw has spent the last ten years serving a life sentence and adjusting to the ache of solitude. He accepts his fate, a sacrifice for the only man he ever loved and the one person who saw beyond his rough edges.

Drayton grew up with a trust fund and pre-planned future, but an unexpected encounter one night forces him to abandon everything and start from scratch. He is now a self-made man and developer of one of the most sought after electric exotic automobiles in the world with a fortune greater than that of his birthright. Yet, he’d surrender it all—again—for the only man who’s still ever-present in his heart.

After a decade and entirely too much distance between them, Vann is suddenly released back into a world that has been nothing but cruel. Drayton never lost hope they would once again reunite and pick up where they left off, but Vann’s stubborn nature and repeated encounters with a heartbreaking world prove to be a challenge.

Vann needs to tap into his fighting spirit’s reservoir of strength and hope life doesn’t punish him for taking a chance. Only then will he realize his own value and feel worthy enough to finally have Drayton’s heart. And their chance at forever.—

* Although part of a series, this full-length novel can be read as a stand-alone. *Word count: 124K

“Emotionally, beautiful and inspiring” – Amanda L Amazon Reviewer“A great addition to this series. One of the most romantic books I’ve read this year.” – Bayou Book Junkie“Overall…Their story is beautiful, heartbreaking, inspiring, sexy, and moving.” – Two Book Pushers

“C’mon,” Drayton said, tugging Vann by the hand. After breakfast and a countertop quickie, they had immediately returned to the bedroom and had been hibernating there since. He had no objection to spending all day in bed, but he had a surprise for Vann and couldn’t stand waiting any longer. “I want to show you the rest of the house.”

“But I like the bedroom.”

Drayton chuckled, pulling him up with more force. “We can come back after.”

“Fine,” Vann grumbled, finally sitting up on the bed with a dramatic pout.

“You’re cute when you don’t get your way.”

“Cute enough to stay in bed?” He waggled his eyebrows and petted the bed. “It’s really soft.”

Drayton leaned in and gave Vann a chaste kiss, jerking back quickly to avoid his grasp.

Vann’s laughter filled the room. “Damn. You’re still super-fast.” He reluctantly stood and stretched his arms over his head.

Drayton’s lips parted, enjoying the flex of muscles.

“Like what you see?” Vann asked, delivering a cocky grin as he seductively licked his lower lip. “Let’s get back in bed—”

Drayton threw his head back and laughed. “You’re still persistent as hell. C’mon. I want to show you something.”

“I want to show you something too.”

“This is important.” Drayton crossed his arms. “We can skim the other rooms but there’s one that’s special. It’s…yours.”

Vann sobered. “You’ve given me enough to cover every event for the rest of my life and then some. I don’t want—”

“It’s also for me. I’ll watch you while you use the room.”

“Hmm.” Vann pursed his lips. “Okay, you’ve got my attention.”

After a little more bargaining, Drayton finally lured Vann out of the bedroom and down the hallway. He opened the door to his office and stepped inside. “This is the room I’m usually in when I’m here.”

“Not anymore.”

He chuckled as they exited the office. They walked down the hall to the room he’d had converted into a gym.

“Damn, this is nice.” Vann checked the different weight options and looked at each of the machines.

“You’ve got everything here for all types of routines. And if you don’t like the view, you’ve got a TV.”

“The view’s beautiful.”

“Whatever we need to change out or add, we’ve still got space. I do a lot of thinking while I’m on the treadmill, so we’re not getting rid of that.”

Vann chuckled. “Okay.” He walked over to Drayton and leaned in for a slow kiss.

“Mmm. What was that for?”

“Is this the room I’ll use while you watch me? I promise I’ll make you sweat too.”

OK…so I’ve only read 2 books in this series. I don’t know why as I have the other 3 books on my kindle and the 2 I’ve read have been simply amazing. I am now on a mission to go back and fill in the gaps as soon as possible.

This book was exactly what I needed. I loved everything about it. It wasn’t always easy to read and there are some parts that I wish could be unread but this is an outstanding story. It was unlike anything I’ve read. I’m hoping I can do it justice with my review.

Vann and Dray met as outcasts in high school. They each needed something from the other and through that formed an absolute unshakeable bond. They became best friends and lovers; they were truly soulmates through and through which is what got them through their 10 year separation.

Vann had an absolutely miserable life until it got worse. He continually gets knocked down by life. His second chance at life is hard fought and not without issues. He finally has a supporting cast to help him worth through those issues and watching him start his life over was sometimes harsh but worth the effort in the end.

Dray is a super smart, socially awkward man. He’s pretty much isolated himself over the 10 years he was without Vann. He used the strength he gained from his relationship with Vann and made something for both of them to be proud of.

What Dray does for Vann while he was incarcerated left me breathless. Vann’s response that he finally gets to share with Dray when he’s released left me feeling desperate. The company that Dray started, what he does with it and everything he did for Vann through it made MY heart constrict with emotions. When Vann finally starts becoming Vann again, his strength and balance are exactly what Dray needs. The subplot of what D & V do with the company and how that unfolds was fantastic! And I love the people that work for the company; they absolutely enriched that part of the story. The ending was absolutely perfect.

Every layer of this story is so much more than I expected when starting the book and I am so glad I read this; it is absolutely a must read.

Jaime Reese is the alter ego of an artist who loves the creative process of writing, just not about herself. Fiction is far more interesting. She has a weakness for broken, misunderstood heroes and feels everyone deserves a chance at love and life. An avid fan of a happy ending, she believes those endings acquired with a little difficulty are more cherished.